Google is working hard to expand its influence, and plans to stay relevant with the way we interact with people, information and objects. Projects like Android@Home and Google Fiber are proof of such, but the Search Giant is not stopping there. Google’s most recent filing with the FCC revolves around a “next generation personal communications device,” which further displays Google’s commitment with their recent jump into hardware manufacturing.

We have recently seen Google hire an Apple Senior Director who was in charge of product quality at his former job. More interestingly, Simon Prakash was pulled in from Apple to work for a “secret project.” We do not know what this project could be related to, but we believe that it is hardware-related (due to his responsibilities at Apple).[1]

It could be possible that Prakash will be working on making sure Google’s product are up to industry standards, and he very well could have something to do with this device and others.

According to the FCC filing, this “next-gen personal communications device” is currently going through testing. It is mentioned that the device features both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which would make it something like a smartphone.

The device will be tested at Google employees’s houses, as well as Google offices. But more than testing the device, itself, Google is interested in testing the “throughput and stability at the home WiFi networks that will support the device, as well as the basic functionality of the device.”

It is yet unclear exactly what this is all about, but it gives off signs of something great to come. This could be related to Android@Home or Google’s future plans to become an internet provider. And this “communication device” could very well be some form of home phone competitor or the home entertainment system we learned of yesterday.

Regardless, we can expect this service to be affordable, like everything else Google offers. Surely, it would be nice if this happened to be an Android-powered device. It is mentioned that part of the purpose is to test its “real world performance and its impact on applications running on the device.” This just screams “Android” to us.

We will have to wait and see what Google has under its sleeve. That won’t stop us from speculating, though. What do you guys make of this? What do you think this “communications device” could be?

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Hello, I am Edgar Cervantes. I am an avid Android fan, and keeping myself updated on the topic is part of my daily life. I will always work hard to give the best of me to our community of Android enthusiasts, and I am very honored to be part of this ship. Hopefully we can all enjoy sharing our knowledge and opinions!

It’s only a matter of time before google has their own cell phone service. With Google fiber, they create a service where tjey run over wifi networks for a CHEAP price. Not only that but they will give you a “deal” if you will listen to an ad before each call. Sort of like the free 411 number. This gives Goohle more add revenue, and if its cheap enough, there may be a market for this and no traditional carrier could compete with the price point. What do you say? Too revolutionary? I say Google could pull it off.

I will most likely get whatever Google is throwing at us, might not be first in line. I just recently acquired the Google TV. Now to find sites to hack it since I don’t really use it to its potential considering I dropped cable TV about a year ago.